[ 44 ] 
no more convolutions could be carried on j the in- 
dented lips being a full flop to its inward dimenfions ; 
and that here was the period of its growth. My 
fentiments were juft as to its inward dimenfion; but 
obferving that the lips of fome were much larger 
than others, and that the curved part of the outer 
lip appeared thicker, when fa wed open, than the 
other parts of the ftiell ; I began to think, that the 
animal, inftead of enlarging the inner dimenfions, 
was employed in thickening the outer wall, to guard 
againft injuries and accidents, fo common to the 
inhabitants of that turbulent element the lea. I was 
the more confirmed in thefe fentiments by feeing the' 
beautiful fpots, with which this animal decorates its 
houfe, covered by other fpots of different colour and 
ffze, as new laminae were added to ftrengthen the 
laft-formed convolution. It is really matter off 
admiration to fee how thefe fhells are adorned and 
variegated ; theexquifite poliihi which covers the whole 
infinitely furpaffing-the fkill even of the moft accom- 
plifhed human artift. Thefe new coverings or la- 
minae, which are carried from the lips, terminate in- 
the middle of the back part of the Ihelff and there' 
form a lift, or feam, of a quite different colour from 
that of the other part of the ihell, and of an unequal* 
lurface. 
This very circumftance gave birth to my fentiments 
concerning the formation of the Belemnite: for who- 
ever confiders the feam or fulcus in the Belemnite, 
will, I think, conclude with me, that the outward 
lamina is formed lateft, as in the cowree, and that 
the feam or fulcus iscaufed by. the feveral additional- 
coverings or laminae terminating there. But as the 
anatomift makes frefli difcoveriesi by difteding the 
fubjed, 
